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Important goals to be addressed
Two of the goals established by the Kansas
legislature (K.S.A. 75-4265) are to "reduce future Medicaid costs to the state,"
and to "help seniors avoid premature institutionalization." Czech Cottages will
assist these goals through the following means:
- Proximity to Wilson Senior Center:
Residents of Czech Cottages will live in close and convenient proximity to
several important community services and amenities including the Wilson Senior
Center, a center of social and recreational activities as well as noon meals on
weekdays. Residents of Czech Cottages will find the many services offered by the
Wilson Senior Center just across the street.
- Proximity to Other Important Community
Amenities:
The proximity of Czech
Cottages to other community amenities such as the Lang Memorial Library and the
Wilson Post Office (both are directly next door in the same block) is also
something that will add to the convenience and quality of life of Czech Cottages
residents. All of the following amenities and businesses are close to Czech
Cottages: Kepka Family Practice Center, City Hall, Wilson Police Station and
Fire Department, Lions Club Park, former grade school playground, Wilson State
Bank, Wilson Fine Foods Grocery Store, Swart Accounting Office, Ellco Insurance
Agency, Langerman Auto Repair, LaVange’s Clothing, Al’s Bar & Grill, Sincerely
Yours Gifts, Wilson Telephone Company and the United Methodist Church. Most of
these places are one block or less from Czech Cottages’ location, and none are
more than 1.5 blocks away.
- Reduced Dependence on the Automobile / Greater
Personal Freedom:
The only congregate
senior housing in Wilson is the Smoky View Villa apartments, which are located
at the south edge of town. To get from Smoky View Villa to the Senior Center or
any of the above listed amenities and businesses, one must travel several blocks
including crossing Highway 40 and the railroad tracks. Residents of Smoky View
Villa are dependent on their automobiles to go virtually anywhere. The only
community facility located near Smoky View Villa is the Wilson Nursing Center.
Czech Cottages’ location will allow residents to live in the community with more
freedom and independence for a longer period of time.
- Safe Rooms, etc:
Old age is often accompanied by limitations in mobility and reduced sense of
security. To address this, the utility room in each apartment will double as a
safe room – with steel-reinforced walls and ceilings built to FEMA standards.
The frame of each apartment will be sturdy post-and-beam and the straw bale
exterior walls will be thoroughly fastened to the concrete foundation and frame
and coated with 1.5 inches of fiberglass-reinforced cement stucco on the
exterior surface. These very substantial residences will offer significant
protection from Kansas storms. Residents will have the comfort of knowing the
safest place to be during a storm is at home. A greater feeling of safety and
security will add to residents’ quality of life.
- Lower Risk of Fire:
Compared to conventional stud construction, straw bale walls provide better
resistance to fire. Straw bale walls contain millions of tiny air pockets that
provide excellent insulation value. However, the structure of straw bale walls
inhibits combustion. Conversely, the structure of conventional wood stud walls
provides a chimney effect between the studs to allow fire to spread from lower
areas up to the roof structure. Straw bale walls tested at a certified
construction materials testing facility achieved a two-hour commercial fire
rating, far superior to conventional stud walls.
- Lower Heating and Cooling Bills/Greater
Affordability:
Residents of Czech
Cottages will spend significantly less money for heating and cooling than
residents of conventional housing. Lower utility bills will help residents
maintain greater financial independence, thereby reducing this risk factor for
premature institutionalization.
Each of the factors described above will help
seniors avoid premature institutionalization and thereby reduce Medicaid costs
to the state.
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